The New York Times breaks down your new credit card legislation. My favorite part of the new laws is that companies can no longer allow charges to go through even though you are at or beyond your credit card limit. Previously companies would allow you to make purchases which pushed your card over its limit so they could ding you with a $39 over-the-limit fee.

Now the new credit card rules prohibit this practice. You must opt-in to get over limit fees. This, along with the other credit card laws make it easier for people to escape credit card debt.